Developer (1)

Whether it's acting, writing, or directing, Peter Berg is sure to leave his mark on Hollywood. Best known for his role on Chicago Hope, Berg called his experience on the show "like getting paid to go to film school."
In 1998, Berg directed the film Very Bad Things which starred Cameron Diaz, Christian Slater, Jeremy Piven, and Jon Favreau.
Peter directed the film Friday Night Lights in 2004 and two years later developed the script into a television series for NBC.
Although he works mostly behind the scenes now, from time to time he can be seen making guest appearances on television and in the movies.

Quotes (7)

Peter: The cast of Chicago Hope is one of the most volatile casts that I've heard of in the history of television.

Peter: I'm very anti-Million Dollar Baby. I think it's a rotten message! When we were filming Friday Night Lights we had a kid break his neck, a 15-year-old, who became a quadriplegic. For that youngster to see Eastwood's new film, and hear it's message, is appalling. To go and see that that movie and come away thinking that Hilary Swank's [character is] better off dead and that the noble thing was for Clint Eastwood to choke her to death before she's even had a real chance to process the shock. I have a problem with that movie. It's offensive!

Peter: (on why he made the movie "Very Bad Things") I was becoming frustrated with how unprovocative movies are today. It was rare that I'd go to a film and feel anything. I remember going to see Rosemary's Baby for the first time and feeling like I might be in some form of jeopardy sitting there in that room. So I tried to make a film that made audiences feel legitimately threatened.

Peter: If you're looking to spin a sports issue into a positive, sports is sort of the great equalizer. It brings together races and religions, very organically.

Peter: I moved to Los Angeles thinking I was going to go to film school – I remember looking at AFI or UCLA, thinking I'd go to one of those two schools, but didn't. Instead, I ended up getting jobs on film – working in all areas of production. So, I never went to film school. Never took a film class.

Trivia (18)

Peter was nominated for 3 SAG Awards from 1996-1998 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Chicago Hope.

Peter is a big fan of "secret agent" books. Especially anything written by Robert Ludlum or Alistair MacLaine.

Peter was romantically linked to model Estella Warren from 2001 to 2006.

Peter says that the creator of Chicago Hope, David E. Kelly, contacted him and asked if he'd like to play the part of "Dr. Billy Kronk" on the show. Berg admits that he thought taking the role would be a good way of getting to meet Michelle Pfeiffer.